We spent some time thinking about the Statement of Teaching Philosophy (SOTP). We talked about what an SOTP is: a 1-2 page document that generally includes your conception of teaching and learning, a description of how you teach, and justification for why you teach that way. It can demonstrate that you have been reflective and purposeful about your teaching, and communicate your goals as an instructor. We all agreed that the SOTP can be a challenging document to write, and that while examples abound on the web, it’s usually better to try to write your own first.

To that end, we considered some of the following questions:

As an instructor, what is one skill/behavior you want your students to leave your class with?

We then spent some time thinking and talking about the Diversity Statement, which is commonly required in job applications. This is another essay which can take many forms. It can address how you deal with a diverse range of students in the classroom, including different cultures, backgrounds, and types of learners. It can discuss how you incorporate diversity into your teaching materials and methods, beyond just saying “I will teach anyone who walks in the door”. It can also address how your personal background has equipped you to deal with diversity among your students.

We spent some time addressing questions that may help structure ideas about what should go into a diversity statement.

How would you define diversity? How would you define cultural competency?

How you approach the diverse range of students in your classroom?

How do you consider diversity in your teaching materials and methods?

How has your personal background equipped you to accommodate diversity among your students and colleagues?

How do you administratively support diversity among staff and faculty?

-Teaching Evals--be sure to stay organized with these, and to update your folder each year. Save any e-mails or documentation that you may want to refer to later (we quickly forget!)-Evaluations of your teaching by professors in your department (guest lectures, etc.).
-Letters of Recommendation: ask your professors early (like a year before you go on the market) what they need in order to write you a strong letter of rec for your teaching.
-Teaching certificates!, or professionalization in teaching methods (i.e. workshops).
-Teaching Awards, Mentorship programs, etc.

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Welcome to the GTC!

The aim of this group is to provide a space for graduate students and post-docs on the UC Davis campus to feel supported in our efforts to become better teachers. This is a place to discuss teaching and learning philosophy and practice. We meet with the purpose of creating opportunities for collaborative interdisciplinary professional development in a community setting.

Spring 2017Meeting Time: Thursdays, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: Surge III (The Grove), Room 1353 or 1360

Questions? Want to get on the GTC list-serve? Contact this year's GTC facilitator: